'Rape victims failed by court delays' say charity

Victims of sexual assault and rape are being "failed by the system" as court backlogs reach a record high, a charity has said.

The Salford Survivor Project said the long delays for cases to go to trial were having a serious impact on victims' mental health.

It comes as two victims shared their torment over their continued wait to see if their cases would go to court.

The Ministry of Justice said the current government inherited a record and rising courts backlog and a plan was in place to tackle this.

According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Justice in March, the number of sexual offence cases waiting to go through the crown courts in the north-west of England had more than tripled between 2019 and the end of 2024.

At the end of last year, there were 1,790 open sexual offence cases in the North West - of which 762 were rape cases.

Jane Gregory, chief executive of the Salford Survivor Project, said the judicial system was broken and changes were needed.

"Our voices are not being heard and victims are being failed," she said.

She also raised concerns over the length of time it takes to investigate sexual offence cases.

"We've had a number of victims that have been waiting - some as long ago as 2021 - and they have still not even been given a date of when their perpetrator is going to be charged never mind go to court," she said.

"And then there might be a two, three-year waiting list before they even go to court."

Lauren, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, made an allegation of sexual assault to police in 2021 – but the investigation is still ongoing.

"It's been horrible. I've been having recurring nightmares and anxiety and stress," she said.

"I just want to be able to get on with my life.

"It's been four years and that's been like torture."

Emma, whose name has also been changed, made an allegation of rape to police in 2022.

She is still waiting to hear if the case will progress to court.

"I can't sleep at night I get nightmares and I'm constantly walking the streets scared I'll bump into him," she said.

"At times I think should I just drop it all for the sake of my mental health and my anxiety and then I'm just in two minds of what to do."

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice said: "This government inherited a record and rising courts backlog – that's why we've asked Sir Brian Leveson to propose once-in-a-generation reform to deliver swifter justice for victims.

"We're also providing funding for 110,000 sitting days this financial year, raising court capacity to the highest in almost ten years and are committed to working with our partners to deliver longer-term reform."

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